What is a Nonimmigrant Visa (NIV)?

Travel Info
What is a Nonimmigrant Visa (NIV)?

Travel Tips

A nonimmigrant visa is most frequently a tourist, business, student, or work visa that will permit the applicant to stay for a particular period of time in the United States to accomplish a specific purpose, such as visiting, studying, or working.

Others
A Nonimmigrant Visa (NIV) is a travel document that allows a person from another country to travel to a port of entry in the U.S., for example, an airport, and seek permission from an officer of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to enter the U.S. for a temporary stay.
A nonimmigrant visa is given to someone who lives in another country and wishes to come temporarily to the United States for a specific purpose. Nonimmigrant visas are given to people such as tourists, business people, students, temporary workers, and diplomats.
http://www.foreignborn.com/visas_imm/sta...
Immigration Classifications and Visa Categories

Immigration Classifications and Visa Categories

Nonimmigrant Visas General Information on Nonimmigrant Benefits
Nonimmigrant Classifications and Visas Government Information

Foreign Government Officials
A-1 Ambassador, public minister, career, diplomatic or consular officer, and members of immediate family. INA Section 101(a)(15)(A)(i) 8 CFR 214.2(a)

A-2 Other foreign government official or employee, and members of immediate family. INA Section 101(a)(15)(A)(ii) 8 CFR 214.2(a)

A-3 Attendant, servant, or personal employee of A-1 and A-2, and members of immediate family. INA Section 101(a)(15)(A)(iii) 8 CFR 214.2(a)

Visitors Business or Pleasure Visitors
Tips for U.S. Visas - Business or Pleasure Visitors
B-1 Temporary visitor for business INA Section 101(a)(15)(B) 8 CFR 214.2(b)

B-2 Temporary visitor for pleasure INA Section 101(a)(15)(B) 8 CFR 214.2(b)

Visa Waiver Program Visa Waiver Program (Immigration.gov)
Visa Waiver Program (Dept. of State)

Aliens in Transit
C-1 Alien in transit directly through U.S. INA Section 101(a)(15)(C) 8 CFR 214.2(c)

C-1D Combined transit and crewman visa INA Section 101(a)(15)(C) & (D) 8 CFR 214.2(c)

C-2 Alien in transit to UN headquarters district under Section 11.(3), (4), or (5) of the Headquarters Agreement INA Section 101(a)(15)(C) 8 CFR 214.2(c)

C-3 Foreign government official, members of immediate family, attendant, servant, or personal employee, in transit INA Section 212(d)(8) 8 CFR 214.2(c)

C-4 Transit without Visa, see TWOV INA Sections 212(d)(3), and 212(d)(5) 8 CFR 212.1(f)

Crewmen
D-1 Crewmember departing on same vessel of arrival INA section 101(a)(15)(D) 8 CFR 214.2(d)

D-2 Crewmember departing by means other than vessel of arrival INA section 101(a)(15)(D) 8 CFR 214.2(d)

Treaty Traders and Treaty Investors Instructions for Form I-129: Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker
E-1 Treaty Trader, spouse and children INA Section 101(a)(15)(E)(i) 8 CFR 214.2(e)(1)

E-2 Treaty Investor, spouse and children INA Section 101(a)(15)(E)(ii) 8 CFR 214.2(e)(2)

Academic Students Dept. of State: Implementation of ISEAS
Information on Student Visas
How Do I Become an Academic Student in the United States?
Dept. of State: Tips for U.S. Visas: Foreign Students
Dept. of State: Information on Student Visas
Dept. of State: What Consuls Look For
Dept. of State: New Legal Requirements for F-1 Foreign Students in Public Schools
How Do I Apply to Qualify My School for Foreign Student Assistance?
F-1 Academic Student INA Section 101(a)(15)(F)(i) 8 CFR 214.2(f)

F-2 Spouse or child of F-1 INA Section 101(a)(15)(F)(ii) 8 CFR 214.2(f)

For Foreign Medical Graduates (see individual categories H-1B, J-1, O-1, TN, E-2)

Foreign Government Officials to International Organizations
G-1 Principal resident representative of recognized foreign member government to international organization, and members of immediate family. INA Section 101(a)(15)(G)(i) 8 CFR 214.2(g)

G-2 Other representative of recognized foreign member government to international organization, and members of immediate family. INA Section 101(a)(15)(G)(ii) 8 CFR 214.2(e)(1)

G-3 Representative of non-recognized or nonmember government to international organization, and members of immediate family INA Section 101(a)(15)(G)(iii) 8 CFR 214.2(G)

G-4 International organization officer or employee, and members of immediate family INA Section 101(a)(15)(G)(iv) 8 CFR 214.2(g)

G-5 Attendant, servant, or personal employee of G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, or members of immediate family INA Section 101(a)(15)(G)(v) 8 CFR 214.2(g)

Temporary Workers Immigration.gov Information on Temporary Workers
Dept. of State: Tips for U.S. Visas: Temporary Workers
Instructions for Form I-129: Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker
How Do I Apply for Health Care Worker Certification?
H-1B Specialty Occupations, DOD workers, fashion models INA Section 101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b) 8 CFR 214.2(h)(4)

H-1C Nurses going to work for up to three years in health professional shortage areas INA Section 101(a)(15)(H)(i)(c) 8 CFR 214.2(h)(3)

H-2A Temporary Agricultural Worker INA Section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a) 8 CFR 214.2(h)(5)

H-2B Temporary worker: skilled and unskilled INA Section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(b) 8 CFR 214.2(h)(6)

H-3 Trainee INA Section 101(a)(15)(H)(iii) 8 CFR 214.2(h)(7)

H-4 Spouse or child of H-1, H-2, H-3 INA Section 101(a)(15)(H)(iv) 8 CFR 214.2(h)(9)(iv)

Foreign Media Representatives Dept. of State: Revalidation of "I" Journalist Visas
I Visas for foreign media representatives INA Section 101(a)(15)(I) 8 CFR 214.2(i)

Exchange Visitors Dept. of State: Implementation of ISEAS
Immigration.gov Information on Exchange Visitors
How Do I Get a Waiver of the Foreign Residence Requirement if I am an Exchange Visitor
Dept. of State: Tips for U.S. Visas: Exchange Visitors
How Do I Apply for Health Care Worker Certification?
J-1 Visas for exchange visitors INA Section 101(a)(15)(J)(i) 8 CFR 214.2(j)

J-2 Spouse or child of J-1 INA Section 101(a)(15)(J)(ii) 8 CFR 214.2(j)

Fiance(e) of US Citizen
K-1 Fiance(e) How Do I Bring My Fiance(e) to the United States?
Dept. of State: Tips for U.S. Visas: Fiance(e)s
How Do I Change My Fiance(e)'s Status to Lawful Permanent Resident? INA Section 101(a)(15)(K) 8 CFR 214.2(k)

K-2 Minor child of K-1 INA Section 101(a)(15)(K) 8 CFR 214.2(k)

K-3 Spouse of a U.S. Citizen (LIFE Act) How Do I Become a K-Nonimmigrant as the Spouse or Child of a U.S. Citizen?
Dept. of State: The New K and V INA Section 101(a)(15)(K)(ii) 8 CFR 214.2(k)

K-4 Child of K-3 (LIFE Act) INA Section 101(a)(15)(K)(iii) 8 CFR 214.2(k)

Intracompany Transferee Immigration.gov Information on Temporary Workers
Dept. of State: Tips for U.S. Visas: Temporary Workers
Instructions for Form I-129: Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker
L-1A Executive, managerial INA Section 101(a)(15)(L) 8 CFR 214.2(l)

L-1B Specialized knowledge INA Section 101(a)(15)(L) 8 CFR 214.2(l)

L-2 Spouse or child of L-1 INA Section 101(a)(15)(L) 8 CFR 214.2(l)

Vocational and Language Students Immigration.gov Information on Student Visas
How Do I Become a Vocational Student in the United States?
Dept. of State: Implementation of ISEAS
Dept. of State: Tips for U.S. Visas: Foreign Student Visas
Dept. of State: Applying for a foreign Student Visa
Dept. of State: What Consuls Look For - Student Visas
Dept. of State: New Legal Requirements for F-1 Foreign Students in U.S. Public Schools
How Do I Apply to Qualify My School for Foreign Student Attendance
M-1 Vocational student or other nonacademic student INA Section 101(a)(15)(M)(i) 8 CFR 214.2(m)

M-2 Spouse or child of M-1 INA Section 101(a)(15)(M)(ii) 8 CFR 214.2(m)

N-8 Parent of alien classified SK-3 "Special Immigrant" INA Section 101(a)(15)(N)(i)

N-9 Child of N-8, SK-1, SK-2, or SK-4 "Special Immmigrant" INA Section 101(a) (15)(N)(ii) through (iv)

NAFTA North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) (see TN, below)

North Atlantic Treaty Organization
NATO-1 Principal Permanent Representative of Member State to NATO and resident members of official staff or immediate family Not included in the INA
Article 12, 5 US Treaties 1094
Article 20, 5 US Treaties 1098 8 CFR 214.2(s)

NATO-2 Other representatives of member State; Dependents of Member of a Force entering in accordance with the provisions of NATO Status-of-Forces agreement; Members of such a Force if issued visas Article 13, 5 US Treaties 1094
Article 1, 4 US Treaties 1794
Article 3, 4 US Treaties 1796 8 CFR 214.2(s)

NATO-3 Official clerical staff accompanying Representative of Member State to NATO or immediate family Article 14, 5 US Treaties 1096 8 CFR 214.2(s)

NATO-4 Official of NATO other than those qualified as NATO-1 and immediate family Article 18, 5 US Treaties 1096 8 CFR 214.2(s)

NATO-5 Expert other than NATO officials qualified under NATO-4, employed on behalf of NATO and immediate family Article 21, 5 US Treaties 1100 8 CFR 214.2(s)

NATO-6 Member of civilian component who is either accompanying a Force entering in accordance with the provisions of the NATO Status-of-Forces agreement; attached to an Allied headquarters under the protocol on the Status of International Military headquarters set up pursuant to the North Atlantic Treaty; and their dependents Article 1, 4 US Treaties 1794
Article 3, 5 US Treaties 877 8 CFR 214.2(s)

NATO-7 Servant or personal employee of NATO-1, NATO-2, NATO-3, NATO-4, NATO-5, NATO-6, or immediate family Articles 12-20, 5 US Treaties 1094 - 1098 8 CFR 214.2(s)

Workers with Extraordinary Abilities Immigration.gov Information on Temporary Workers
Dept. of State: Tips for U.S. Visas: Temporary Workers
Instructions for Form I-129: Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker
How Do I Apply for Health Care Worker Certification?
O-1 Extraordinary ability in Sciences, Arts, Education, Business, or Athletics INA Section 101(a)(15)(O)(i)) 8 CFR 214.2(o)(1), 8 CFR 214.2(o)(2), 8 CFR 214.2(o)(3)

O-2 Alien's (support) accompanying O-1 INA Section 101(a)(15)(O)(ii) 8 CFR 214.2(o)(4)

O-3 Spouse or child of O-1 or O-2 INA Section 101(a)(15)(O)(iii) 8 CFR 214.2(o)(5)

Athletes and Entertainers Immigration.gov Information on Temporary Workers
Dept. of State: Tips for U.S. Visas: Temporary Workers
Instructions for Form I-129: Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker
P-1 Individual or team athletes INA Section 101(a)(15)(P)(i) 8 CFR 214.2(p)(4)

P-1 Entertainment groups INA Section 101(a)(15)(P)(i) 8 CFR 214.2(p)(4)

P-2 Artists and entertainers in reciprocal Exchange programs INA Section 101(a)(15)(P)(ii) 8 CFR 214.2(p)(5)

P-3 Artists and entertainers in culturally unique programs INA Section 101(a)(15)(P)(iii) 8 CFR 214.2(p)(6)

P-4 Spouse or child of P-1, 2, or 3 INA Section 101(a)(15)(P)(iv) 8 CFR 214.2(p)(8)(iii)(D)

International Cultural Exchange Visitors
Q-1 International cultural exchange visitors Immigration.gov Information on Exchange Visitors
Dept. of State: Tips for U.S. Visas: Exchange Visitors
Instructions for Form I-129: Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker INA Section 101(a)(15)(Q)(i) 8 CFR 214.2(q)

Q-2 Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program (Walsh Visas) Walsh Visa Program INA Section 101(a)(15)(Q)(ii)(l) 8 CFR 214.2(q)(15)

Q-3 Spouse or child of Q-2 INA Section 101(a)(15)(Q)(ii)(ll) 8 CFR 214.2(q)(15)

Religious Workers Immigration.gov Information on Temporary Workers
Dept. of State: Tips for U.S. Visas: Temporary Religious Workers
Instructions for Form I-129: Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker
R-1 Religious workers INA Section 101(a)(15)(R) 8 CFR 214.2(r)

R-2 Spouse or child of R-1 INA Section 101(a)(15)(R) 8 CFR 214.2(r)

Witness or Informant
S-5 Informant of criminal organization information INA Section 101(a)(15)(S)(i)

S-6 Informant of terrorism information INA Section 101(a)(15)(S)(ii)

T Victims of a Severe Form of Trafficking in Persons Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000
Fact Sheet on T Application Process
Dept. of State: Trafficking in Persons Report
Dept. of State: Foreign Affairs Manual, Section 41.84
T-1 Victim of a severe form of trafficking in persons INA Section 101(a)(15)(T)(i) 8 CFR 214.11

T-2 Spouse of a victim of a severe form of trafficking in persons INA Section 101(a)(15)(T)(ii) 8 CFR 214.11(o)

T-3 Child of victim of a severe form of trafficking in persons INA Section 101(a)(15)(T)(ii) 8 CFR 214.11(o)

T-4 Parent of victim of a severe form of trafficking in persons (if T-1 victim is under 21 years of age) INA Section 101(a)(15)(T)(ii) 8 CFR 214.11(o)

North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Dept. of State: Professionals Under NAFTA
Changes to NAFTA and new 2004 Trade Agreements
TN Trade visas for Canadians and Mexicans INA Section 214(e)(2) 8 CFR 214.6
Canadians: 8 CFR 214.6(d)
Mexicans: 8 CFR 214.6(e)

TD Spouse or child accompanying TN- INA Section 214(e)(2) 8 CFR 214.6(j)

Transit Without Visa
TWOV Passenger INA Sections 212(d)(3) and 212(d)(5) 8 CFR 212.1(f)

TWOV Crew INA Sections 212(d)(3) and 212(d)(5) 8 CFR 212.1(f)

U Victims of Certain Crimes
U-1 Victim of Certain Criminal Activity INA Section 101(a)(15)(U)

U-2 Spouse of U-1 INA Section 101(a)(15)(U)

U-3 Child of U-1 INA Section 101(a)(15)(U)

U-4 Parent of U-1, if U-1 is under 21 years of age INA Section 101(a)(15)(U)

Certain Second Preference Beneficiaries How Do I Become a V-Nonimmigrant as the Spouse or Child of a U.S. Permanent Resident?
Dept. of State: The New K and V Visas
V-1 Spouse of an LPR who is the principal beneficiary of a family-based petition (Form I-130) which was filed prior to December 21, 2000, and has been pending for at least three years INA Section 101(a)(15)(V) 8 CFR 214.15

V-2 Child of an LPR who is the principal beneficiary of a family-based visa petition (Form I-130) that was filed prior to December 21, 2000, and has been pending for at least three years. INA Section 101(a)(15)(V) 8 CFR 214.15

V-3 The derivative child of a V-1 or V-2 INA Section 101(a)(15)(V) 8 CFR 214.15

Humanitarian Parole Immigration.gov Information on Humanitarian Parole

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Immigration.gov Information on Temporary Protected Status
How Do I Apply for Temporary Protected Status?
TPS Temporary Protected Status INA Section 244 8 CFR 244

Nonimmigrant Visas

H-1B Visa

O-1 Visa

TN (Trade NAFTA)

E-3 Visa

Office of Student Diversity (J-1 and F-1 visas)

Graduate Medical Education
(ECFMG J-1 visas for foreign medical graduates interested in residency programs)